Highlights:
• An alliance of Syrian rebel groups launched a significant ground offensive backed by drones in Aleppo on November 27th:
o The offensive is being led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which is a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization with historic ties to Al-Qaeda.
o HTS functions as part of a broader coalition called the "Military Operations Command," which was proclaimed in response to alleged escalating attacks by the Syrian army and Iranian-backed militias.
o Elements of this coalition are backed by Türkiye, which provides funding and equipment.
o The offensive's scope has also seen numerous villages in Idlib and Aleppo province fall to the forces, as coalition forces are pushing south to Hama.
o Syrian Government forces have since regrouped and established defensive lines in Hama, but the Military Operations Command is still advancing on Hama.
o Between November 27th to December 3rd, the Syrian Network has documented 149 civilian deaths. A majority was a result of attacks by Syrian government forces or Russian airstrikes. A minimum of 228 civilians have been injured. Most of these people were women and children.
• Public services and critical facilities in Aleppo, including hospitals, bakeries, power stations, water, internet, and telecommunications, are either disrupted or non-functioning due to shortages of supplies and personnel.
• The Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) is operating in Idlib, Aleppo and Jarablus. The White Helmets have been providing search and rescue, body recovery and debris clearance operations.
• The increase in hostilities has resulted in further displacement:
o The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has reported that as of December 4th, 150,000 people have fled Aleppo. About 70% are estimated to be women and children. This number is expected to rise.
o UNHCR and their partners are distributing humanitarian supplies at transit centers.
o A majority of those leaving Aleppo are travelling to Homs, Hama, Lattakia, rural Damascus and Ar-Raqqa.
• As of December 4th, the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) has treated over 1,000 people in Idlib
• Violations of International Humanitarian Law:
o The Syrian Emergency Task Force on November 29th reported that Military Operations Command forces stormed the Mukhabarat branch in Aleppo which tortured civilians who opposed the Assad regime. Political detainees were also freed from the Tarik Bin Ziyad Prison in Aleppo.
o Between November 29 to December 3rd, Syrian government helicopters dropped at least 10 barrels bombs in Idlib and Hama.
o On December 1st, White Helmets volunteer Sulayman Sulayman was killed during a Syrian and Russian airstrike.
o Syrian and Russian forces targeted the White Helmets Baghdad Station in Aleppo on December 2nd.
o On December 2nd, a Russian airstrike hit a cluster of healthcare facilities in Idlib. These facilities included:
Idlib University Hospital
Ibn Sina Hospital
SAMS National Hospital
SAMS Maternity and Obstetrics Hospital
Health Directorate in Idlib city
o Syrian government forces have conducted airstrikes on the Wadi Khaled displacement camp on December 2nd near the Harbanoush village, which killed seven people and injured 12.
Sources:
• WOS Flash update #1 - Recent escalation in Northern Syria
• Syria: Recent Developments in Aleppo - Flash Update No. 5, 02 December 2024
• Rebel Groups Overrun Aleppo, Reigniting Syrian Civil War and Challenging Assad
• Institute for the Study of War Blue Sky
• UN Special Envoy for Syria Twitter Page
• UN Refugee Agency, Syria Twitter Page
• Syria Civil Defence Twitter Page
• Syrian Emergency Task Force Twitter Page
• Syrian American Medical Society Twitter Page
Resources
Interactive Map: Assessed Control of Terrain in Syria
Syrian American Medical Society Monetary Donations Website
Syrian Emergency Task Force Monetary Donations Website
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